Eric Goodale's family is a an integral part of his life, whether he's at the race track or at work. (Ruby Wallau/NASCAR)

Family Defines Racing Path For Eric Goodale

By

Dan StokesNASCAR.com April 22, 2020

Eric Goodale’s love for racing can be traced back to Saturday nights at Riverhead Raceway. Goodale would watch Chris Young tear up the track in his race car sponsored by his father Edgar Goodale’s company Riverhead Building Supply.

"My father sponsored Chris, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago, from an early time in the figure eight cars and modifieds," said Eric Goodale. "My parents would bring me to the track to watch him race. I fell in love with it more than a normal kid."

Chris Young influenced Eric’s brother Kevin Goodale, serving as a crew member before racing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

"He wanted to be a driver," the Riverhead, New York native said. "The aura of the tour sparked his interest."

"I used to change his tires in high school and do anything else," Goodale recalled.

"I already had the racing bug. It wasn’t until we went on the road traveling to different tracks that I said it’s what I wanted to do."

When both brothers were racing for their father’s team, Eric said it was tough getting two cars ready for the race track every week. The program changed when Eric’s No. 58 car is the only rac ecar they have to prepare for.

Eric has three different relationships with his father Edgar. The father/ son relationship, the business relationship at work and their racing relationship.

"Fortunately for me, I can get all three of those relationships in one day," Goodale said. "My dad is one of the best people I know. He helped build a great life for his family by working hard his entire life. It’s something he’s passed on and instilled in each of his children."

"It’s really cool to have multiple dynamic relationships with him in all facets of my life."

Eric said his mother Nancy is extremely passionate about modified racing.

"I remember a race at Thompson Motor Speedway in 2008 when I missed out on the World Series," he said. "I’m notoriously not a good qualifier. I had a really fast car and I got a bad draw and absolutely bombed my lap. As I pulled in off the track, my mom kind of started telling me what I didn’t want to hear."

"Her heart gives 110 percent. She cares every bit about the results and hard work we put in. It shows the passion we all have for the sport."

The Goodale’s run Riverhead Building Supply. With 18 retail locations across New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island that sell every kind of building materials from the foundation up, Goodale said the family-owned and operated business has grown tremendously in the last 20 years.

"My family employs other families and it really forms a lot of cool relationships," Goodale said of the business his grandfather started in 1948. "It’s nice to get to work with your family on a whole bunch of levels rather than seeing them every other day."

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